Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by painful motion and stiffness, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent. The evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating exacerbations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities result in a functional impairment of being able to perform only sedentary work, and they overshadow any professional skills acquired during and after service. The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU due to combined rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for left wrist disability, right wrist disability, and sleep apnea. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right knee disability, and his left carpal tunnel syndrome and left shoulder impingement syndrome are less likely than not related to service. The Board finds no evidence of permanent worsening of the preexisting left knee condition during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right wrist tendonitis disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome with reflex sympathetic dystrophy warrants a 20 percent disability rating, effective from August 9, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases provided by the Board in its denial. Specifically, the JMR noted that a record mentioned in the hearing was not obtained, and the VA examination did not have an adequate opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's right thumb disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of notification for VA examinations, and further development is needed.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to address the questions of whether the Veteran's claimed carpal tunnel syndrome and back disability had their clinical onset during active service or is otherwise the result of a disease or injury in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected left wrist and left knee disabilities from March 18, 2009 to March 7, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder, left wrist ganglion cyst, hemorrhoids, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral elbow disorder, a left hip disorder, and a gastrointestinal disorder are remanded.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis, right wrist arthritis, left 5th finger arthritis, left 2nd finger arthritis, and left 3rd finger arthritis. These conditions are considered to be directly related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not alone or in combination render the Veteran unemployable, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of multiple joints, are not service-connected. The right ankle condition is service-connected due to in-service trauma, but other joint conditions are not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting higher disability ratings or establishing service connection.